Wild Falmouth!

Recently, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife indicated that the black bear population is thriving and growing (estimated at over 20,000) in Maine. As if on cue, one youngster visited my bird feeder in the wee hours one morning this past August. After devouring the bird seed, it took off but not before I was able to take a couple of pictures and a video with the aid of a spot light.

 

This bear is estimated at 100 lbs and was later spotted at other bird feeders a couple of miles from my place.

I took these photos from my house through a window and screen; safety comes first!

I'm in Southern Maine where we don't generally get a glimpse of these elusive creatures - except at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, so it was a rare treat to see one out my window! Note: the bird seed was put away for a few weeks so no more free food to encourage him to stick around.  

Here's my design inspired by the neighborhood bear

Maine Bear Beanie™

More to come....I'll add the video later - it was not loading correctly

In a previous post, I shared a glimpse into interior Maine. Contrasting, here are beautiful views of Casco Bay and the Atlantic Ocean off the Southern Maine coastline.


A recent weekend, the State offered free entrance into State Parks to individuals with a 'Loon Plate', the Conservation Resources vehicle license plate; I totally had to take advantage of the offer as I have one on my Toyota Forerunner! It was a beautiful sunny day and nearby Two Lights State Park in the town of Cape Elizabeth offers expansive views of the ocean.

Low tide exposes seaweed and tidal pools ~ waves crash on shore with picturesque force!

Artist capturing the beauty of the coast!

Benches and picnic tables are sprinkled around the park for optimum viewing.

In a neighboring town of South Portland, Spring Point Lighthouse Trust fund was hosting tours into the lighthouse. See more at: http://springpointlight.org/

View from 2nd level of the lighthouse.

One last stop at Fort Williams park - the home to Portland Head Light. Views overlooking Casco Bay and the shipping lane into Portland Harbor.

Casco Bay Body Decor Designer Scarf ™

Enjoy! Cathy

Nature's Bounty & Patriotic Puppy on The 4th of July!

The rush for berries is on:  nature's bounty at its best. Wild Maine blueberries and red raspberries are ripening and ready for picking.

Add to your favorite breakfast cereal, yum! My favorite is on oatmeal with walnuts, cinnamon and yogurt.

After the berry picking, cookouts, swimming, boating and card games; a meaningful end to the day with

 fireworks on the lake.

Odessa - Patriotic Puppy

Happy Fourth of July!

Cathy

The Journey is Part of the Adventure - Part I

  I just got back from the Allagash Wilderness Waterway into the North Maine Woods

- a fabulous adventure!

Highlighted in my Maine Atlas, the 6 hour travel route brought me through Greenville from Falmouth and continued on through Kokadjo to the 70 miles of dirt roads (Golden Road and Ragmuff the most famous of these roads) I would travel to my final destination on Round Pond just south of Allagash Lake.

Keeping an eye out for wildlife, my travel companions and I were not disappointed: Eagles, deer, moose, groundhogs, ruffed grouse, coyote, osprey, woodcock are some of the critters that were spotted.

 Maine Moose

(affectionately nicknamed swamp donkeys)

Mom cow with calf moose in muddy opening along roadway

Alongside of Caribou Lake, entering into the North Maine Woods - a remote region that comprises landowners from individual families to priviate coporations, conservaion organizations and state-owned land - (check out www.northmainewoods.org ), a stop at the Checkpoint is required.  Land use and camping fees assist the landowners to keep this region open to visitors.

Caribou Checkpoint on the Golden Road

While traveling on the North Maine Woods roads, which are built and maintained to move wood products, keep your vehicle lights on. Logging trucks have right of way, so when one is approaching from either direction, pull over to allow them to pass safely.

Abundant streams and one-lane bridges are part of the charm of traveling along the remote roadways.

The weather is always changing ~

Destination Round Pond

Stay tuned....more to come!

Cathy

May Flowers

Heralding in the spring with pretty petals of Flowering Crab Apple & Daffodils!

Flowering Crab Apple bursting with fabulous fragrant blooms

Cheery & Bright Daffodils

Here is my tribute to spring yellow with a hint of pink:

Body Decor Designer Scarf ™

in Silk and Cotton Fibers

Spring Tribute

Happy May!

Cathy

Penchant for Purple

Pineland Gardens in New Gloucester, Maine (part of Pineland Farms.org) has a one acre garden that is plum full of gorgeous flowers. Here are a few that I photographed last year.... .

Here is my scarf tribute to purple passion!

Later, Cathy

Celebrating Strawberries

I love traveling to Florida in April ~ not only for the obvious sun and warm temperatures, but for the Strawberries! Getting to the flea market booths and veggie stands in the early mornings, you can take your pick of quarts or flats of the juicy berries just harvested from the fields.  With that in mind, here are a few of my creations celebrating berries!

                                             Pink Strawberry Hat with matching flower

This sleeping model was photographed by Carla Mclemore Photography. Carla, thanks for sharing the pic of the cutie wearing hat:)

Knit roll brim strawberry hat with crocheted leaves, created as a custom request.  

 Strawberry Patch with the biggest Berry :)

Have a Great Day!

Cathy